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3 Best Bird Bath Heater & De-Icer Picks For Winter

Written by Garrett Hayes

Last updated on Feb 16th, 2024
a jay on a frozen birdbath

A birdbath with fresh warm water in the winter season may just be the most attractive thing to offer birds.

However:

Sadly, due to the extremely cold weather, birdbaths are frozen solid.

The good news is, birdbath heaters exist!

These are heating components you add to your birdbath to keep them 100% liquid in freezing weather.

There are numerous bird bath heater reviews available, but here, we can assure you that you’re getting the best bird bath heater made for you from these 3 brands reviewed. 

My best pick is the API Bucket Birdbath De-Icer. And I'll tell you why soon. 😉

Pick one out! 

3 Of The Best Bird Bath Heaters Reviewed

Product Details
1. API Bucket Birdbath Deicer

Energy-Saving

  • Safe For All Birdbaths
  • Has Built-In Thermostat
  • Adjustable Mounting Clamp
  • Anti-Chew Heating Element
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2. K&H PET PRODUCTS Original Ice Eliminator Birdbath Deicer

Durable

  • Tested & Certified Safe
  • Thermostatically Controlled
  • Enamel Finish
  • Easy To Clean
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3. Farm Innovators Birdbath Heater

Premium Quality

  • Works Even As Low As -40°
  • Can Warm Up Baths Up To 25 Gallons
  • Highly Effective
  • Pricey
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1. API Bucket Birdbath De-Icer - Overall Best Option

API Bucket or Bird Bath Deicer Pail and Bird Bath De-Icer, 200 Watt (Item No. 250D)

This bath deicer operates at 200 watts.

Which may sound expensive…

But with a built-in thermostat, you won't have to worry about paying a high electric bill as it’ll conserve energy when it's not necessary to heat the bath.

A unique feature the API Bucket Birdbath De-Icer has is that it comes with an adjustable clamp that allows you to mount the de-icer to your bath. 

This product reeks of durability, you can expect it to last for 4-6 years with no problems at all. 

It has a 6-foot long cord that is not only wrapped with electrical tape but is fully enclosed too, so squirrels or other animals wouldn’t stand a chance trying to chew or destroy the wire. 

It can deice fountains in 0 degrees and birdbaths in -22 degrees. 

However, the de-icer calcifies which means you’ll need to clean the deposits once a year because if you don’t, you may not be able to get them off after a few years.

Pros

  • Has a 6-foot long cord
  • Safe for all birdbath materials
  • Conserves energy with a thermostat
  • Has an anti-chew protector
  • Comes with an adjustable clamp

Cons

  • Creates calcium deposits

Takeaway

This deicer can heat your bath in extremely cold temperatures, conserve energy, work up to six years, and is even animal proof.

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2. K&H PET PRODUCTS Original Ice Eliminator Birdbath De-icer - Best Budget Option

K&H Pet Products 100213393 Original Ice Eliminator Birdbath Deicer, 50 Watts, Natural

This K&H PET PRODUCTS Birdbath deicer claims to only cost $1-3 dollars a month by using its thermostat of 50 watts for a standard-sized bath and 80 watts for a large-sized one.

It’s a steal getting a high-quality deicer for not only a low price but also half the power consumption compared to other birdbath deicers.

It can also maintain your birdbath from freezing in below zero temperatures and keep your water ice-free even at -30 degrees!

Its enamel finish prevents it from calcifying, rusting, or even staining your birdbath like most heaters do. 

The birdbath heater comes with an 18-inch cord that prevents the unit from falling out or floating.

Yet, it’s 18-inch cord may not be long enough for some birdbaths.

Pros

  • Has a durable and sturdy enamel finish
  • Easy to clean
  • Has a low energy consumption
  • Will not stain your bath
  • Has an aluminum housing that allows you to paint and design its exterior

Cons

  • Has a short cord

Takeaway

This birdbath is surprisingly not only cheap but also of high quality, durability, and operates at a low cost.

If you have a plastic birdbath, this will be a great option since it will neither melt nor stain your bath unlike how the other metal and non-metal deicers do. 

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3. Farm Innovators Bird Bath Heater - Best Heavy Duty Option

Farm Innovators Model C-50 Premium Cast Aluminum Birdbath De-Icer, 150-Watt

The Farm Innovators Bird Bath Heater operates at 150 watts, so that means it’ll be consuming more energy than the previous product. 

This heater may break the bank…

But it is extremely beneficial for those who own a large bird bath and live in colder places. 

If your area reaches close to -35 degrees or even -40, you’d know that normal heaters don’t do the job. While they may stop your bath’s water from turning into ice, you’d still notice that the water is freezing. 

On the other hand, if you own a large bird bath, there’s a high chance that you’ll be needing two to three heaters to keep it warm and free of ice. 

So having a bird bath heater that can do the job even if it has a higher power consumption wouldn’t be too bad, would it?

But even if this bird bath heater is made of patented cast aluminum, it wouldn’t melt or burn your plastic bird bath—it’ll warm the water but not heat it up to high temperatures.

It is heavy enough to stay submerged and works best when it is FULLY immersed in the bath.

There are chances that the heater will build up impurities that need to be cleaned to keep the water clean and the heater working.

Pros

  • Thermostatically controlled
  • Constructed with patented cast aluminum effectiveness
  • Can warm up large bird baths that hold up to 25 gallons of water
  • Will function even in temperatures as low as -40 degrees

Cons

  • Prone to impurity build-up

Takeaway

This heater is best for situations that normally require two or three heaters to do the job.

If you own a large-sized bath, live in an extremely freezing area, and want a heater that doesn't float in or melt your bath, then this would be an ideal product for you.

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frozen bird bath


What Is A Bird Bath Heater?

Bird bath heaters, also known as deicers, are heating components that you add to your bird bath to keep it from freezing or turning into ice.

They may be a cheaper option compared to buying a heated bird bath, especially if you’re fond of your current bird bath.

Choosing The Right Bird Bath Heater

Wattage

Normally, a 50-watt operating heater is enough.

Yet there are circumstances such as extreme temperatures and bigger bird baths that will require more wattage.

However, you wouldn't need to worry about purchasing a heater that has a high wattage since you'd normally be consuming that high when trying to keep your bath warm by using two to three normal heaters/deicers.

Size

What is a bird bath size that you're looking for? Please keep in mind that the size of your bird bath matters more than you realize. 

One of the obvious reasons why it matters is that you may be buying a heater that is too big for your bath.

This could lead to it floating or occupying too much space.

Another reason would be that your bath may be too big. It's not really a problem if your heater is too small for your bath, the only concern would be if it could heat up and deice the WHOLE bath.

Some bird bath reviews indicate the bath size is too big and that they need more than one heater to keep it from completely freezing over. 

However, there are also heaters/deicers that are heavy-duty; these can heat and deice even 25 gallons of water!

Thermostat

Expect a high electric bill if you purchase a non-thermostatically controlled heater.

The best bird bath de-icer should definitely have a thermostat.

There are times when the climate is cold enough to freeze your bath. So it wouldn't be necessary to operate a heater, would it?

The thermostat shuts down the heater when it is not necessary to heat up the bath. 

It also automatically shuts it down after melting all the ice to make sure that your bath's water won't heat up too much. 

How To Test Your Heater

You can try testing your heater by putting it in the freezer for an hour or even just half an hour. If you don't do this, you can guarantee that your heater's thermostat won't function at all. 

After 30-60 minutes, take your heater out of the freezer and wipe out any moisture. Immediately plug it in and place it in the bath for two to three minutes. 

Then, try checking if the water is warming up. The water should be WARM, not hot or a bit cold.

What To Do If Your Heater Doesn't Work

Clean It

If you're trying out an old heater, the reason why it isn't functioning may be because it is covered in deposits from the previous winter. 

You can clean off the deposits by soaking the heater in a vinegar-water solution for a few minutes.

After, you can use an old toothbrush or a stiff brush to scrub off the remaining deposits. 

Remember to ALWAYS clean and scrub off the deposits from your heater because if you don't, you may not be able to remove them ever after a long time.

Check Your Outlet

The problem may not be with your heater but with the outlet itself. 

If the heater you're using isn't brand new, then you may want to check if the plug or wire has been chewed by rodents or other animals. 

You should also try checking the outlet or extension cord you're plugging it in.

Don't use an extension cord that is excessively long since it may not be able to provide enough energy to your heater. 

Ask For A Replacement Or Purchase A New One

If it still doesn't function, then maybe it's time to replace your old heater. And before you do, I recommend that you check out heated bird bath options to give you an alternative option that you can try. 

Yet if you're testing a brand new heater, you should try to contact the seller and ask them to check on the product.



Conclusion 

The best bird bath de-icer we found is the API Bucket Birdbath De-icer

With its thermostat, adjustable clamp, and 6-foot long anti-chew cord, you won’t need to check or worry about your bird bath at all!

This product conserves energy and stays in place, you can also avoid any electric danger in using an extension cord since it is long enough.

The K&H Original Ice Eliminator Birdbath De-icer is also a solid option for those who want quality without breaking the bank.

 

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